Law enforcement key for Constitution Party candidate

Denise Neely "feels the need to be more involved in the political process," said Donna Ivanovich, chair of the Missouri Constitution Party. ¦ Courtesy of Raymond Kish, Constitution Party of Missouri, http://www.constitutionpartymo.org

BY
Valerie Insinna

JEFFERSON CITY — Denise Neely has experience selling telephone book advertising, boats and real estate. Now, the Constitution Party candidate wants to use her organizational skills as secretary of state.

"She feels the need to be more involved in the political process," said Donna Ivanovich, Missouri Constitution Party Chairwoman. "She's very organized, and she wants to provide information to people."

Denise Neely

HOMETOWN: Cedar Hill

PERSONAL: She is married and has four sons and four grandchildren.

PARTY AFFILIATION: Constitution Party

CAMPAIGN WEB SITE: constitutionpartymo.org/denise_neely.html

OCCUPATION: Homemaker

BACKGROUND:Neely has worked in a variety of sales jobs, including telephone book advertising, boats and real estate.

WHAT'S THE JOB?

The secretary of state prepares all statewide ballots and certifies
statewide ballot measures proposed by the General Assembly. The office also has the responsibility to
canvass, certify and publish election results. The secretary of state
regulates securities and enforces state securities laws. The office
also operates a division for maintaining corporation registrations and
other corporate filings. The business division
of the Secretary of State's Office commissions notaries public and
registers all Missouri businesses. The office maintains various
official records for the state, including the Missouri Register and
Missouri Code of State Regulations. It also maintains the state's
official archives. The secretary publishes the Official Manual of Missouri.The
State Library is part of the Secretary of State's Office. Secretaries
of state serve four-year terms. The salary is $104,608.

—Valerie Insinna

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Neely grew up in St. Louis, where she was friends with Ivanovich during their years together at Lindbergh High School.

Neely, a homemaker in Cedar Hill, could not be reached for comment. Questions about her candidacy were directed to Ivanovich.

Ivanovich said she remembers that, though she and Neely had always shared similar values, Neely supported the Republican Party.

"She finally found out all the things I was telling her were true," Ivanovich said. The two frequently discussed political issues, and because Neely disagreed with Republicans' views on illegal immigration, Ivanovich persuaded her to become a member of the Constitution Party.

Neely states on her Web site that she joined the Constitution Party because it enforces all the government's laws.

"What chaos we would have in our country if all of us decided to pick and choose which laws we will abide by," she said on the Web site. "I want my children and grandchildren to be safe. Without safety first, nothing else matters."

Neely is married and has four sons and four grandchildren. She works as a homemaker and likes to fish and watch Cardinals games in her free time.

Ivanovich said she and Neely had shared many fun experiences together, but the most memorable was when both of their fathers were in the same hospital at the same time.